I’m obsessed with this movie for some strange reason. It made, I believe, about $47 million over the weekend. Sorry Will Ferrell, but I haven’t been a huge fan until now. Why did I like it? It takes stereotypes and runs with them. Which is okay in a PARODY, people.
Well, Dr. Ted Baehr didn’t find “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” so amusing. In fact, he got out his ruler and smacked the filmmakers’ knuckles. Dr. Baehr runs Movieguide, which describes itself as, “a ministry dedicated to redeeming the values of the mass media according to biblical principles, by influencing entertainment industry executives and helping families make wise media choices.” But not to spelling Will Ferrell's name correctly. Dr. B spells it "Farrell" the whole way through.
Dr. B in his review wrote, “A satire of the NASCAR racing scene, the movie is a racist, bigoted work that ridicules the Bible Belt, Southern white men, Christianity, Jesus Christ, the family, and American masculinity.” Whew. Of Hollywood and mainstream media he observed, “And, they have stood by silently for many years while Hollywood gave up one negative stereotype (the shuffling black man) for another stereotype – the dumb Southern white male.” Continuing he said, “In other words, this politically correct movie not only celebrates the ridicule of white Southern Christian males, it also ridicules Christianity’s belief in moral absolutes.” movie review
Tune in tomorrow for my take on religion in the Bible Belt, stereotypes and more. And go see “Talladega Nights” for yourself. Only don’t take the kids. Dr. B was right on that score. The language is not suitable.
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